National Speech and Debate Tournament

2024 — Des Moines, IA/US

Gabrielle Wexler Paradigm
Lincoln-Douglas
Lincoln Douglas Debate Judge Philosophy

Your experience with LD Debate (check all that apply)

Current Public Forum coach or judge
Speech coach
No LD experience

How many years have you judged LD debate?

0

How many LD rounds have you judged this year?

0-10

What is your preferred rate of delivery?

2/91 = Slow conversational style
9 = Rapid conversation speed
 

Does the rate of delivery weigh heavily in your decision?

Y
 

Will you vote against a student solely for exceeding your preferred speed?

N

How important is the criterion in making your decision?

It is a major factor in my evaluation
 

Do you feel that a value and criterion are required elements of a case?

Y

Rebuttals and Crystallization

 

Voting issues should be given:

As one moves down the flow
 

The use of jargon or technical language ("extend", "cross-apply", "turn", etc.) during rebuttals:

Should be kept to a minimum
 

Final rebuttals should include:

Both
 

Voting issues are:

Absolutely necessary

How do you decide the winner of the round?

I decide who is the person who persuaded me more of their position

How necessary do you feel the use of evidence (both analytical and empirical) is in the round?

5/91 = Not necessary
9 = Always necessary

Please describe your personal note-taking during the round

I write down the key arguments throughout the round
Additional remarks: I’ve coached and judged speech for 7 years, but this is my first year coaching debate post-COVID. I’ve mostly judged PFD this year, but I'm still pretty new. My NSDA district is small and the national qualifier is the only opportunity that students have to try LD. I only mention that to let you know up front that my experience with LD is unfortunately very limited. In preparation for Nats, I’m doing my best to learn as much as I can. Typical “new guy” preferences - Set up a solid foundation in constructive. Keep going back to that while reinforcing key points and making things easy to understand. I prefer conversational speed. Impact is key - why do your arguments matter? Can you explain your points in a way that is accessible to a general audience, not just experienced debate judges? Stuff that is annoying - Don't waste time during the debate arguing in circles over something like a piece of evidence or semantics. Usually, that's an indicator that you don't have anything substantial to say, so you're trying to deflect.

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Judges

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